AMERICA’S STRENGTH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144778, 7 September 1915, Page 5

AMERICA’S STRENGTH.

(WARNING TO KAISER. GERMAN ADMIRAL’S COUNSEL. BERLIN. July 5, via Lonaon, 1.30 p.m.—Admiral Oscar von Truppel, at one time Governor of Kiao Chau, the German concession in the Chinese province of Shan Tung, captured in November by the Japanese, contributes an article to-day to “Dcr Tag,” warning his compatriots not to underestimate the danger of a breach with the United States, and asking them to weigh seriously the question of whether Germany’s submarine warfare against British \commerce is great enough to justify a continuance of its present form at the expense of a rupture with the transatlantic nation. The article is remarkable not only for its open statement regarding the wide reaching effects which the parties might exercise on the future course of, tho war—effects which Admiral von Truppel says are greatly underestimated, in Germany—but also as a contribution from a naval officer. All the naval publicists of Germany hitherto heard from have been devoting their energies to accelerating public opinion against any modification of the submarine campaign and endeavouring to prevent or to limit concessions _ to American demands in the forthcoming German Note to. Washington. . PARLEY FOR COMPROMISE. 'The campaign between the advocates and the opponents of a compromise still is intense and delivery of the Note which a few days ago was scheduled for Monday or Tuesday will probably ho delayed several days. It is hoped by those who favour a compromise that these days of additional consideration' will produce a change in the attitude of the naval party, whose views thus far have been opposed to any Note of a character outlined ; reviously in those dispatches: This was to tho effect that in all probability the reply will embody proposals to exempt ships employed wholly or principally m passenger traffic from submarine 1 attacks, though making them subject to stoppage and examination: The naval party, however, .has been bringing heavy pressure to bear upon the Ministers engaged in consider-' ation of the answer. ' RESULT OF AMERICAN AVAR. Admiral von Truppel, in his articlein Dor Tag, writes ; “A German-Anierican war, -or even a rupture of- diplomatic' relations, 1 the effect of which would virtually bo as great, would injure German prospects more seriously .Ilian any believe. “Though America at first would bo able to contribute little, to the military strength of the entente Allies 1 ’ except by an acceleration of tho munitions supply, it could in time co-operate with considerable land and sea forces and with first-class submarines and aeroplane’s in the complete, isolation of Germany. “It could also exercise such pressure upon the few remaining neutral countries that these would bo arrayed actively or passively in the ranks of our enemies.” ■ ■■.■ Admiral von Truppel discounts tho stories of earlier existing American agreements with Great, Britain against Germany, explaining that this is most improbable, owing to American diplomatic traditions, “But it is undeniable,” he says, “in spite of President Wilson’s unquestionable desiro to reach a peaceful solution of the problems, that the sympathies of a majority'of Americans are,qn'th.e side of England- and that only a spark might be. necessary under certain conditions to kindle this . feeling inter a , hostile outbreak.” , KERNEL OF THE PROBLEM. The kernel of the problem, from a German standpoint, concludes Admiral von Truppel, is contained in this question : “Can we hope, so far as we are able ’ to foresee, to force England to its knees through submarine warfare against her commerce? “If the answer is negative, our submarines can find better employment against hostile warships, particularly in tho hunting grounds of the Mediterranean, the Dardanelles, and the Suez Canal. Submarine warfare, against merchantmen in that case could be modified or abandoned to obtain a more favourable neutrality from and the friendship of America, which would be of great value to. Germany after tho war. - “If the answer is in the affirmative, then the law of self-preservation would justify us in the situation. which England has forced upon us in using to the fullest extent our superiority in submarines, and wo can calmly accept all the consequences of it.” The Kreuz Zoitung, in* its weekly review, says that limitations upon submarine operations would cause widespread ami deep agitation amongst the German people. It is probable, however, the newspaper adds, that in tho forthcoming Note to America a form will be found which will offer a prospect of settling tho question so far as passengers are concerned. American